Author: mlbwdev
SETYM International Wins the “Business with Africa” Award at the REPAF Vision and Inspiration Excellence Gala
7 June 2024, Montreal, QC –
SETYM International was honoured with the prestigious “Business with Africa” Award at the Vision and Inspiration Excellence Gala, organised by the Réseau des Entrepreneurs et Professionnels Africains (REPAF). This ceremony, which celebrates outstanding initiatives and contributions by African professionals and businesses, took place on Friday, 7 June, in Montreal.
Ingrid Martin, Senior Coordinator of Customer Service at SETYM International, accepted the award on behalf of CEO Mr Larbi Bennouna. She was joined by Véronique Brissonnaud, also a Coordinator, and Soraya Benitez, Head of Client Experience at SETYM. The award was presented by Mrs Fatima Braoule MEITE, Ambassador of Mali, before an audience of innovators. This distinction reflects SETYM International’s commitment to promoting sustainable development and strengthening capacities across Africa.
“We are deeply honoured to receive this award,” said Ingrid Martin during her acceptance speech. “This recognition speaks to our hard work and dedication to making a meaningful impact across the African continent.”

On a Development Mission
The CEO of SETYM International was on a development mission in Africa and was therefore unable to attend the ceremony—yet another example of the organisation’s on-the-ground commitment. This absence was highlighted by Martin as “a living testament to our active engagement.”
The gala also spotlighted TransNumerik, another finalist for the award, showcasing the quality and impact of the nominated companies’ contributions. SETYM International extends its gratitude for being nominated alongside TransNumerik, a company that shares our commitment to sustainable development in Africa. The joint efforts of all nominees are essential to fostering a prosperous and sustainable future for the continent.
This award is not only a recognition of SETYM International’s past achievements, but also a source of inspiration for future efforts. The organisation remains focused on capacity building through professional training in emerging and developing countries.
In conclusion, Ingrid Martin expressed her gratitude and unwavering commitment to SETYM International’s mission:
“We share this victory with every member of our team, and we are determined to continue working with passion and dedication towards a brighter future in Africa.”

Mrs Fatima Braoule MEITE, Ambassador of Mali, alongside Mrs Ingrid Martin, Senior Customer Service Coordinator at SETYM International
Gabon: Partnership Signing Ceremony between EM Gabon – University and SETYM International
SETYM International Proudly Announces Strategic Partnership with EM Gabon–University
SETYM International, a Canadian leader in capacity building in the context of international development, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with EM Gabon–University. Signed on 16 April in Libreville, this partnership aims to deliver advanced training programmes for senior civil servants directly on Gabonese soil.
Larbi Bennouna, CEO of SETYM International, and Professor Daniel Franck Idiata, Director of EM Gabon–University, formalised the beginning of this collaboration with a signing ceremony. The partnership establishes a training framework designed to strengthen administrative and managerial competencies within Gabon’s public sector. This tailored initiative reflects SETYM’s mission to deliver practical, needs-based training for public administrations.
Strengthening Capacities
“By training Gabonese civil servants in Libreville, we are directly contributing to the development of critical skills required for the country’s economic and social growth,” emphasised Mr Bennouna during the signing ceremony.
This initiative represents a major milestone in SETYM International’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality training tailored to the specific needs of Gabon’s civil service. The partnership not only supports local capacity building but also promotes sustainable development through accessible, practice-oriented education.
Professor Idiata expressed his enthusiasm for the project:
“It is a great honour to collaborate with SETYM, a globally recognised organisation. We are confident that this partnership will meet our government’s expectations and greatly benefit our executives by sparing them the cost and constraints of training abroad.”
This partnership is founded on a shared vision of continuous improvement in administrative capacities in Gabon and will contribute to enhancing the performance of the country’s public administration.

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Exceptional Training on International Public Procurement with Larbi Bennouna and CCMM
Exceptional Training on International Public Procurement with Larbi Bennouna and the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal
In today’s context of globalisation and international development, companies seeking to expand beyond national borders are faced with countless opportunities. However, navigating the complex ecosystem of international public procurement requires specialised expertise. To address this need, the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal is offering an accelerated training session entitled “International Public Procurement – World Bank”, led by renowned expert Mr Larbi Bennouna.
A Window into the World of International Business
On Wednesday, 13 March 2024, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., this virtual French-language session will be available to Canadian companies and professionals, offering insights into opportunities for collaboration with the World Bank. Registration remains open until the day of the event, promising a rewarding experience for participants eager to understand the workings of international public procurement.
Larbi Bennouna: An Expert at Your Service
With credentials including MGP, MBA and PMP, and a wealth of experience in international development and project management, Larbi Bennouna will share his valuable knowledge, particularly on financing processes and business opportunities with the World Bank. As CEO of SETYM International, known for its excellence in capacity-building programmes, he is the ideal trainer and mentor for those looking to break into international business.
The Value of this Training
This session is essential for those who wish to:
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Identify international business opportunities
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Understand how a financial institution operating in nearly 190 countries functions
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Learn about developing markets and sectors funded by the World Bank
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Strengthen their company’s export capacity
Target Audience: An Open Invitation
Aimed at professionals from all sectors of the Canadian market — large companies, SMEs, consultants, educational institutions, manufacturers, or anyone interested in how multilateral financial institutions operate — this training is a unique opportunity to master tendering procedures and gain a competitive edge in international markets.
This session offers a rare chance for Canadian stakeholders to acquire the tools needed to explore and seize global business opportunities.
Meet the winners of SETYM International’s 35th anniversary contest
This year marks the 35th anniversary of SETYM International, and to celebrate this milestone, we launched a special competition dedicated to our valued clients. We wanted to express our gratitude to those who have joined us in celebrating this important chapter in our history.
Prizes
This competition offered the chance to win one of five (5) free places at one of our international seminars in 2024, including airfare and accommodation. This unique opportunity reflects our commitment to promoting lifelong learning and enriching the professional journeys of our global community.
The draw was overseen by Mr Ismaël Coulibaly, lawyer at the Quebec Bar and partner at BENOÎT & CÔTÉ INC., an independent law firm. A list of anonymised participant IDs was provided to him to ensure complete impartiality in the prize selection process.
We are proud to reveal the names of the winners:
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Mr André Benjamin RENE, Director of Administrative Affairs and Budget, Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSPJ), Haiti
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Mr Alpha Issiaga CAMARA, Public Procurement Specialist, Project Coordination and Implementation Unit (UCEP), Guinea
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Mr Christian MUHINDO KABUYAYA, Division Head for Programme Budget Planning and Monitoring, Ministry of Finance, Democratic Republic of the Congo
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Mr Allou Koffi Charles B. AKA, Senior Project Coordinator, CÔTE D’IVOIRE ENERGIES (CI-ENERGIES), Côte d’Ivoire
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Mr Winstone MPINDU, Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Ltd. (ZESCO), Zambia
These fortunate participants will once again experience our high-impact training, designed to meet the challenges of a constantly evolving professional landscape, while benefiting from the expertise and know-how of SETYM International’s experts.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who took part, and to all the Setymians of the past 35 years.
Your passion and dedication to continuous capacity building are a true inspiration and the driving force behind our mission.
Our Commitment
For the past 35 years, we have been dedicated to delivering the highest quality training and contributing to the professionalisation of your fields through our specialised accreditations. As we celebrate this anniversary, we reaffirm our commitment to strengthening the skills and knowledge of our international community — always with the warmth and hospitality that define the SETYM experience.